
Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Turkey Cauliflower Baked Ziti
Turkey Cauliflower Baked Ziti is made with lean ground turkey, cauliflower, and Pizza Sauce.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 60 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 8 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Turkey
- Cuisine
- Italian
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 15 minutes or less · Total: 31–60 minutes
A few quick notes
1. Check the off-heat addition
Follow the instruction to take the pan off the heat before the finishing addition.
2. Check when to cover
Follow the covered and uncovered stages in their stated order.
3. Preheat as directed
Have the oven at the specified temperature for its cooking step.
Get to know the ingredients
cauliflower (cut into florets and chopped)
In the method: In a large Dutch oven, combine the cauliflower and pizza sauce and stir well to coat.
Pizza Sauce
In the method: In a large Dutch oven, combine the cauliflower and pizza sauce and stir well to coat.
lean ground turkey
In the method: While cauliflower is cooking, grab a skillet and sauté the turkey until cooked, drain and set aside.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
Ingredient note
Source: 1 head of cauliflower (cut into florets and chopped)Ingredient note
Source: 2 ½ cups Pizza SauceIngredient note
Source: 1 lb. lean ground turkeyIngredient note
Source: 4 eggsIngredient note
Source: ⅓ cup grated Pecorino Romano cheeseIngredient note
Source: ½ teaspoon fine sea saltIngredient note
Source: 2 cups fresh baby spinachIngredient note
Source: 2 ounces shredded cheddar cheese*
How to make it
0 of 4 steps completeMake room for Turkey Cauliflower Baked Ziti
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Finish as directed
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
A little more help as you go
Allow for cooling
Include the cooling stage before the next step.
Keep the simmering stage
Follow the simmering heat, timing and finish checks that are given.
Prepare for the next step
Have the next addition ready when the mixture reaches the boil described.
A few questions you might have
What should I prepare first?
Set out the dutch oven, pot, skillet, and oven. Start with this step: In a large Dutch oven, combine the cauliflower and pizza sauce and stir well to coat.
Which preparation step should I plan for?
Follow the instruction to take the pan off the heat before the finishing addition.
What check should I look for as it cooks?
Bake for 30 minutes, until the eggs have set and the cheese is bubbly on top.
Is there another preparation step to plan for?
Include the cooling stage before the next step.
Additional recipe notes
Megan recommends using goat cheddar. MAKE IT AHEAD: You can prepare this dish as a freezer meal by beating together the pizza sauce, eggs, cheese, and salt in a large bowl, then stirring in the raw cauliflower and spinach. Spread the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch oven-safe dish and top with the shredded cheese, then cover and freeze for up to 3 months. To heat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then place the dish in a cold oven. (You don’t want to risk a glass dish shattering from a drastic temperature change.) Turn on the oven to 350°F and bake uncovered until the cheese on top is golden and the eggs in the center of the dish are cooked thoroughly, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Recipe reprinted with permission from No Excuses Detox, copyright © 2017 by Megan Gilmore. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: eatingbirdfood.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.

